Embed from Getty Images Pop the champagne, light off the fireworks, the Detroit Tigers have finished first!! Well not in any way that fans would be hooting and hollering. But the Detroit Tigers are close to the end of a brutal season, in which the only good to come out of Motown is the Tigers have the first pick in the 2020 MLB draft.
For the rebuilding Detroit Tigers, having the worst record in baseball has its benefits, The most important in terms of the rebuild itself, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft, the most tangible, having the most money with which to sign players.
Detroit’s distinction as the worst team in baseball seemed a locked in heading into the All-Star break, a few weeks before two of the teams top players right fielder Nicholas Castellanos and closer Shane Greene were traded on the day of the trade deadline.
The good news for the Detroit Tigers who have outstanding young pitching prospects in the minor leagues, is the team can pick a badly needed generational bat.
A player like Arizona State University first basemen Spencer Torkelson. Torkelson a right-handed batter, 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, but it gets better. Stats do not lie, neither do projectability. Torkelson assaulted pitchers, .351 batting average in 57 games, 23 home runs, .446 on-base, .707 slugging, 1.153 OPS.
It widely believed all 30 MLB teams have Torkelson at the number one overall draft slot. With a pure of body and swing not too mention he won’t turn 21 until late next August.
Torkelson is an above average defender, which is why the Tigers could plug him at first base, where defense is generally overlooked, and also where the Tigers have a huge need.
Spencer Torkelson has a scouting report of a 70 grade power on the 80 score baseball scouting charts and a 60 level bat. He struck out 45 times in 57 games and drew 41 walks.
If the Detroit Tigers are wise this is the player they will draft. Detroit can add him to a couple young bats already in the system. The Tigers got slick prep outfielder Riley Greene in the past June’s draft as well as Isaac Paredes. Which would give the Tigers a nice middle of the batting lineup group.
So while the Detroit Tigers failed in 2019, the really did not in terms of rebuilding.
I am hopeful the Tigers have bottomed out and will start the climb back in the next two seasons.